'Why wait until next June' as UK Government is set to ban disposable vapes

Plymouth Live readers have been commenting on the news that the government has announced a deadline for the removal of disposable vapes from retail shelves, urging sellers to clear their stock by 1 June 2025. This decision comes amid growing concerns over children developing smoking and vaping habits due to the easy availability of single-use vapes.

These devices have seen a surge in popularity over the past decade, with their fruity flavours becoming a common sight and scent. It is anticipated that the governments of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland will follow suit.

The Mirror reports that there are a million individuals in England who had never been regular smokers but now vape. Additionally, the environmental impact of disposable vapes is a cause for concern for the government.

It's estimated that nearly five million of these devices are discarded weekly, either as waste or litter, each one being a plastic casing housing a battery. These items are difficult to recycle and most end up in landfill, potentially leaking chemicals into the soil. It's believed that around 40 tonnes of lithium from these batteries was wasted in 2022 alone.

Commenter Landofan says: “So cannabis, heroin, cocaine are all banned. Are they unavailable? No! This will mean that kids will buy illegal imported vapes from China, containing who knows what, with the inevitable consequences. Beware what you wish for.”

Bunks adds: “They will still get them illegally, at least now ID is needed to buy them and secondly I fear more house fires with kids recharging refillable ones. I really don’t know the answer.”

Nonwoke2 replies: “A ban needs to be supported by education and trading enforcement. Better to try for a better life and society than rolling over."

Hoewalker thinks: “YES! I can't see what the attraction is! Other than looking like a steam train. It's great for helping people to get off smoking but otherwise BAN them!”

Sunnydevon points out: “There would be a lot more smokers if it wasn't for vapes, but the disposables are causing issues with littering & kids getting hold of them. Although how many parents are buying them for their little darlings?”

Davey asks: “you all forget how much tax from smoking government gets. Where do you think the shortfall will come from?”

Nonwoke2 replies: “From the savings on health and social care, COPD is awful. This ban is supported by common sense. And I'm fed up with the smell and fumes of these childish emotional crutches, around me. Grow up, give up, save money, be healthier, reduce single use plastic waste, and reduce lithium use. Can you disagree unless you want to waste money and damage your health? How come young people often feel fit to blame environmental issues on previous generations? Country layby litter often consists of little cylinders, cans, bottles, condoms and fast food debris.”

Doct thinks: “All vaping should be banned. No different from smoking in terms of impact.”

Sunnydevon asks: “Why are rechargeable vapes prescribed on the NHS Stop Smoking service then? I would like to see the disposables banned though, due to the littering aspect of them. People who drink alcohol and look how much alcohol fuelled violence is costing the NHS & emergency services on a daily basis, but that's OK?”

Lsam6 says finally: “Why wait until next June to ban sales of items that harm children? Ban them immediately, as happens with food and other commodities that are found to be unsafe.”

How do you feel about this issue? Should disposable vapes be banned? Have your say in our comments section.